Kumarakom - For A Comfortable Holiday

By Author: Rashmiranjan Patil
Total Articles: 261
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Kumarakom is a renowned backwater retreat near Kottayam in the state of Kerala. Mostly a cluster of tiny islets, Kumarakom is today a world class tourist spot visited by tourists from all over.

Dotted with tall swaying coconut palms, interspersed with waterways and enveloped in parts by dense mangroves and lush green paddy fields, Kumarakom is situated in the Vembanad Lake and is an unspoiled, picture perfect village.

Kumarakom's most unique attraction is the chain of brackish lagoons known in the local language 'Malayalam' as 'kayal'. The largest of all the lakes in the state, Vembanad Lake is spread across an area of more than 200 sq km bordered by the districts of Alappuzha, Kottayam and Ernakulam. Saturated with large houseboats called ‘kettuvallam’ that are essentially country crafts spanning more than 60 feet in length that have been renewed into luxury houseboats, Vembanad is the centre of tourist activity in Kumarakom.

Kumarakom Packages include a trip to the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, which is very famous among tourists who come here. This bird sanctuary is a haven for migratory and local ...
... birds. Teals, egret, darter, heron, waterfowl, cuckoo, wild duck and migratory birds like the Siberian stork are most common among those who make this sanctuary their home. It is a favourite haunt among bird watchers too who flock to this place to watch these birds in their natural habitat. This sanctuary is best explored by a slow boat ride around it which gives one the opportunity to spot birds in their natural habitat from a distance without disturbing.

A small 10 acre island in the middle of the backwaters called 'Pathiramanal' or Sands of Midnight is a welcome break for tourists after a long day's cruise and is part of many Kumarakom Packages. Aruvikkuzhi Waterfalls situated 18 km from Kottayam makes for an ideal picnic spot. Kumarakom Packages also includes a trip to Kottayam to visit the many churches that dot the landscape of this city. The Cheriapally famous for the beautiful paintings that adorn the altar and the Valiyapally or the big church perched atop a hillock with a remarkable view are two prominent churches here. St Mary's Church which dates back to 355 A.D. contains an ancient bell that has an undeciphered writing on it. Another important church is St Joseph's Monastery Church at Mannanam. Kottayam is also famous as the site of important temples like Ettumanoor Shiva Temple and the Thirunakkara Mahadeva Temple. Aranmula, Erumely, Vagamon, Elaveezhapoonchira and Vaikom are some of the other sightseeing options in Kumarakom.

Cochin International airport is the closest airport to Kumarakom that is situated approximately 85 km away, whereas the nearby city of Kottayam has the nearest railway station.